Ongoing clinical research surrounding psychedelics has shown their potential to treat certain mental health conditions, and state legislatures continue to introduce bills that would enable psychedelic therapy if enacted.
After a slow start to 2025 with just one psilocybin therapy bill introduced in Missouri, several bills have been introduced to enable psilocybin and ketamine therapy.
Starting with psilocybin bills, Colorado House Bill 1063 would make a prescription medication that contains crystalline polymorph psilocybin legal to prescribe, dispense, possess, use, and market in Colorado upon the approval of such a drug by the FDA.
Illinois House Bill 2992 proposes a regulatory framework for the supervised therapeutic use of psilocybin. At 164 pages, there is a wide range of stipulations within the bill. The bill would establish the Illinois Psilocybin Advisory Board within the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, with oversight from multiple state agencies. It also includes a 15% tax on psilocybin purchases. The Act aims to expand access to behavioral health treatments, promote public education and first responder training, and ensure safe, affordable, and equitable psilocybin services, particularly for underserved communities. It also establishes licensing for manufacturing and distribution while preventing unauthorized use and interstate diversion. If enacted, the bill would take effect immediately.
New Hampshire House Bill 528 would legalize the possession, use, purchase, and transportation of psilocybin for individuals aged 21 and older.
New York Assembly Bill 628 proposes the legalization of adult possession of plant- or fungus-based hallucinogens, including DMT, ibogaine, mescaline, psilocybin, and psilocyn, removing these substances from New York’s Schedule I controlled substance list. The bill would also crate legal protections for lawful use.
New York also pre-filed Senate Bill 495, which proposes legalizing medical psilocybin use under strict conditions. Administration would occur in clinical settings or at home under certified facilitators, who must complete state-regulated training. The Department of Health would oversee research, program evaluation, and biennial reporting. While the bill does not list qualifying conditions for psilocybin therapy, it does note that the Advisory Board will make policy recommendations to the Department of Health. Additionally, a grant program would fund therapy for veterans, first responders, and low-income individuals.
Virginia Senate Bill 1135 would direct the Board of Pharmacy to create regulations for the use, prescribing, and dispensing of crystalline polymorph psilocybin, based upon approval of a drug product from the FDA and rescheduling from the DEA.
Washington Senate Bill 5201 proposes the Psychedelic Substances Act to regulate psilocybin for therapeutic use. The Department of Health and a Psilocybin Substances Board would oversee therapeutic use, allowing for psilocybin administration in controlled settings by licensed facilitators. This would include a two-year development phase starting in September 2025 with licenses issued late 2027.
As for ketamine bills, Hawaii Senate Bill 967 would require Medicaid and private insurance to cover a portion of intravenous ketamine therapy costs for depression in qualified patients under licensed medical supervision, starting January 1, 2026.
Missouri House Bill 1043 would establish stricter guidelines for ordering and administering ketamine for mental health, including physician supervision requirements and mandatory documented treatment plans.
Texas House Bill 720 proposes a grant program for ketamine clinics to provide mental health treatment for active-duty military, first responders, and veterans, covering costs for uncompensated care and necessary services. This bill would require a report to be delivered by December 1st of every even-numbered year regarding the activities of the program and grant recipients, including results and outcomes.
It is likely that psychedelics will continue to see more and more legislative activity in 2025, as 2024 saw over a dozen psychedelic bills introduced, with two passing in Maryland and Arizona. Additionally, while the FDA rejected a new drug application for MDMA for the treatment of PTSD, drug developers continue to gather data and conduct trials, inching closer to a possible approval.
